St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-12-07
NEW YORK.
General Approval Manifested
The Message Considered States
manlike aud OppOrtuue.


manlike aud OppOrtuue.
Special TO the Globe.
New YORK, Dec. 6.-Mayor Hewitt
said to-day after he had read the presi-
dents message: Il think he is very
wise in combining its subject to the
financial question. He grasps the fact
that the surplus i'll the treasury is
dangerous, both to our business inter
eSts and to the political morality of con-
gresS. He points out clearly that it can
only be reduced by increased eXpendi-
lures or the reduction of taxation. The
latter is. of course, the only statesman
like method. He proposes tariff re-
ducti0n, substantially upon the raw
material of industry. This is the policy
which | recommended in 1888 and
every year subsequently in bills which
l introduced or in speeches which /
made upon the floor. A tax upon raw
materials is an obstacle to the growth
of business. The reduction of the tax
enlargeS the fund for the payment of
wages. and therefore it is in
the interest of workingmen that
raw material should not be
taxed. do not think it quite so neoes-
Sary to take off the taxes Oh manufact-
ured products. because domestic COM
petition may be relied OH to give to the
consumer the benefit of the reduction
on tax upon raw material. Demagogues
may use the reduction on manufactured
products as an argument why the wages
of the WOrkingmen must necessarily be
reduced to correspond with the reduced
duties. There is nothing in this argu-
ment, and we might very well follow
the example followed by Great Britain,
which freed all tn raw materials of in
duStry from taxation long before ii abOl-
iShed the duties on the manufactured
products. L regard the gene r ii propo-
SitiOnS of the message as uery clearly
and fOrcibly stated, although | do not
think the wage earnerS are forced to
part with any considerable portion of
their earnings in consequence of the
high rates of duty on what they buy.
The cost of living in this country is at
the present time lower than in any civil
lied country. do not believe that the
higher rate of wages paid in this coun-
try is due to the tariff. High wages
come from superior natural re-
SOunceS, and tariff NAV
be necessary, therefore, in consequence
of these higher wages in order that par
ticular branches of industry may exist.
1t is simple question of the distribu-
ton of labor in the several kinds of in
dustries. Under the natural system
men will employ themselves in that
which pays best. Under the artificial
system they will engage in every branch
of industry which can pay an equal rate
of wages. | believe in a diversified in
dustry. especially in country like ours,
and think we can afford to
MAKE SOME SACRIFICES
to secure it. In other words, that the
compensation which we get in the
steady employment of men. and in the
improved civilization. more than balance
the increased cost. But whether this
view is sound OF not, we are manufac-
turing people. and [ fully concur with
the presidents recommendation that 10
legislation ought to be had that will
tend to restrict the area of our industries,
and think that the necessary reduction
in taxation can be made. not only with
out disturbing the favorable condition
of industry. but with a decided benefit
to every branch which has established
itself in this country"
In commenting oil the presidents
message to congress. the Commercial
Advertiser (Rep.) says: Its a plain,
frank, definite proposition, and comes
like a fresh breeze in Sultry sky. 1t
sweeps away cant, lifts up a banner and
challenges to combat. 1t will have de-
cisive weight in the future OF parties
and of legislation
The Post 0nd.) says: 'The message
is the most courageous document that
has been sent from the executive man
sion since the close of the war. 1t will
compel public discussion in congress.
1t will supply parties with an issue that
they have long needed. We have no
doubt the presidents party will sustain
him."
The Evening Sun DEM says: ut
does not often happen that a presidents
message takes 50 little space to say so
much of consequence" The Sun. how
ever does not commit itself to approval
or disapprOval of the presidents recon-
mendatiOns, but simply states what they
are. --y
The Mail and Express (Rep.) says:
1.-The president has framed the issue
for next years campaign. He has taken
courageous stand and we sincerely
trust his party will uphold him. He
has put the Democrats fairly on the free
trade platform. The Republican party
has nothing to complain of. Neither
working men nor manufacturers will be
deceived by glittering generalities. The
next campaign will be battle between
protection and free trade, with chances
largely in favor of the Republicans
The World DEM says: 1.-The presi-
dent has championed the cause of the
long over-burdened taxpayers, and he
has supplied his party with what it has
long lacked, an issue and a leader"
DETAILED COMMENTS.
The Times in its editorial on the pres
ident'S message will say: Mr.. Cleve-
land has done an act of craftsmanship
in the best sense. Recognizing great
duty he has performed it with courage,
with firmness and at the right time.
And he has performed it so that every
honest man must see that it is an honest
act. Judged by an ordinary standard of
political eXpediency, the presidents act
is inexpedient. He has forced upon his
party an issue as to which the party is
divided, and divided that unless the
minority yield it can defeat the will of
the majority. He has done this on the
eve of national contest in which con-
siderable number of men of influence
in the party have been urging him to
avoid this ISSUE and threatening him